NEWS

Williams defeats Larsson to win Swedish Open

Serena Williams defeated Johanna Larsson, 6-4, 6-1, in the final of the Swedish Open on Sunday to take home the trophy and her 53rd WTA title.

"It was really good to come here and win after a disappointing Wimbledon so hopefully this confidence will help me for the rest of the year," Williams, who lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon to Sabine Lisicki, told The Associated Press.

The the 24-year-old Swede came out fighting to start the match, and broke the world No. 1 early to lead 3-1 in the first set. Williams battled back to even the set up at 3-3. Larsson was able to hold once more in the first set before succumbing to Williams' power service game.

"Johanna played well, and I made a lot of unforced errors in the beginning – I just hit everything out," Williams said. "I had to kind of come back and do a little better. You just have to stay positive. I wasn't playing well at Wimbledon when I lost, so I thought, 'OK, just remember what I did wrong there, and don't make the same mistake here.' I really wanted to do better here in Bastad this week."

Williams has been unbeatable on clay this season, notching victories in Rome, Madrid and Charleston in addition to the 2013 French Open and this most recent victory in Sweden.